After tending to his wounds, Delia wrapped Charmander in a blanket and placed him on a large pillow in front of the fire place. The orange lizard was barely conscious, but far too weak to move or speak. He resolved to simply sit by quietly and watch the flames dance beneath the mantle as he listened to the group's conversation behind him.

"Are you sure this will help him recover?" Delia asked with concern.

"Yes. His life force is constructed primarily from heat. Warming him up should bring him back up to speed more quickly," Brandon explained.

"Oh, that's wonderful," Delia replied with relief. After a brief moment of silence, Tracey asked the eminent question that was on everyone's mind.

"So Brandon, just who were those people?" he inquired. Brandon closed his eyes.

"Remember when I told you that the Invincible Brothers were in league with some agents?"

"Yeah," Bulbasaur confirmed.

"That was them. They call themselves Team Rocket. Right now they have a complete stranglehold over the city you boys are from and they're at war with people who 'disagree' with their policies. They need the three of you in their possession in order to win the war. That's why they attacked the restaurant and tried to capture you," Brandon explained.

"But what do they want us for?" Squirtle asked with worry.

"It's not you personally, it's more of your powers they're after. They want to use you as weapons. From their latest development, they need you and all of the other creatures for their 'Final Stage.'"

"Wait, 'other creatures?'" Squirtle asked.

"You mean there are other people like us out there?" Bulbasaur inquired.

"What exactly is their 'Final Stage?'" Delia added in.

"One at a time," Brandon started. "Yes, there are several other creatures that possess the same elements as you three do. Water, grass, and fire. And there's quite a few of them actually. You're part of what as known as the "6 Trinities." But they're all back in the city; caught directly in the middle of the war. Let's just say their lifestyle isn't as cozy as your's is here with Mrs. Ketchum. As for what Team Rocket's 'Final Stage' is, I don't have the slightest idea. Nobody does. It's their most well-guarded secret. All I know is that it's my mission to do whatever I can to make sure they can't achieve it."

"So that's why you took us away from the city two years ago and brought us here," said Bulbasaur.

"Exactly. You're an essential part of their plan. As long as you're hidden far away, they can't win the war. Besides, your father wanted you to have a better life; one free from all the violence and danger. I was supposed to watch over you and make sure that Team Rocket never found you. That's the reason they're after me as well. I've been creating complications for their operations any way I can. Unfortunately, they've managed to find us here. Now that they know where you are, they will most likely strike again. Even though we were able to fight them off this time, they'll probably return even more prepared for us next time," said Brandon.

"So what can we do?" Delia asked.

"Until the war ends and Team Rocket surrenders, all we can do now is pack up and run away; try to find a new place to hide and pray they won't be able to find us again. If they do, we'll just have to run once again," Brandon theorized.

"We can't just keep running our whole lives," Bulbasaur objected.

"We don't have any other choice," Brandon argued.

"But, we can fight them off again. Just like we did tonight," Squirtle suggested.

"We barely escaped with our lives, and we were lucky they underestimated us." Brandon turned and looked over at Charmander. "The creature who did this to Charmander, they'll probably bring more like him next time to make sure they won't lose again."

"So train us harder and we can defeat whatever they bring," Bulbasaur suggested.

"It's not that simple. You're still so young and your bodies do have limitations. There's only so much I can teach you and only so much that you can physically take. Meanwhile, their forces are unlike anything the world has ever seen. I swore to your father I'd keep you safe. If that means running away from a fight, then so be it. End of discussion," Brandon declared. Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Delia didn't like the idea of constantly having to pack up and move. There had to be some other solution.

While the rest of the family had to sleep on this conundrum, Charmander had other problems on his mind. The tiny orange lizard tossed and turned in bed that night as his mind raced. He still couldn't believe how easily Rhydon had managed to take him down. After two whole years of training. All this time he was sure he was getting stronger. He had bested his brothers so easily in sparring matches all the time and it felt fantastic. Bulbasaur's grass element was weak against his fire, meaning he always had the upper hand. And even though Squirtle tried his hardest to keep up, the truth of the matter was that his younger brother was just too gentle and timid to ever really give Charmander a run for his money. Squirtle's water powers gave him the advantage over fire, but he would never be able to truly utilize it properly. The rush of power; the sensation of being unbeatable and unmatched. Charmander loved it. He knew he was destined to be powerful too. It's what his heart had been telling him. That creature he saw in the vision of his heart during the trials; that had to be him. That glorious power; he had to have it. Recalling the cat-and-mouse situation with Team Rocket that Brandon had discussed earlier, he knew that with that kind of power, he could beat those Rocket jerks easily. He'd give them a reason to never hunt his family ever again. If ending that war that Brandon kept mentioning was what it would take to set his family free from this curse, Charmander was confident that this mysterious power would make him capable of doing that.

But he wasn't going to get that power by staying here in Pallet Town. Losing to Rhydon opened Charmander's eyes to the truth. He wasn't strong at all. There were creatures out there, non-humans like him, who possessed strength unlike anything he could imagine. If Brandon had already taught him everything he could, staying here would mean that he would forever remain inferior to the world and ignorant to true power. Charmander couldn't accept that. No sir. He wanted to be the best more than anything. It all just made sense now. From the moment he arrived in Pallet Town, he had wanted to return to his true home. Now he knew the reason why. He was lusting for that power. It was somewhere within that mysterious city. If the orange lizard could go to that city and find a way to get stronger, he could end the war and set his family free. Charmander was sure that this was what he was destined to do.

He remembered his talk with Mrs. Ketchum, however. Although they had their falling out in the past, things were different now. It was a new start, after all. He did love her now, and now he was doing this for her sake; for the sake of all of his family and friends. He knew his brothers wouldn't understand how important this was to him, much less leave home with him. No, this was something the orange lizard simply had to do alone. Charmander's mind was made up. He'd find a way to reach that city and obtain more power. Enough power to protect everyone he cared about. Mrs. Ketchum, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Serena, Tracey, and Brandon. Charmander swore to make them proud.

The following morning, Charmander began to gather materials for his trip when the house was empty. Delia, Brandon, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle had gone into town to help repair the restaurant after the previous night's events. He was told to stay home and rest after the injuries he had taken from the fight with Rhydon. While Charmander did wince in pain every once in a while, he could still get up and move around with ease.

Charmander pulled out a backpack from the hallway closet. He didn't know why Mrs. Ketchum had one. Did she ever go on long trips or something? Well, Charmander was planning to use it for just such an occasion. Charmander also gathered a few days' worth of snacks to eat on the road from the kitchen. He later dug through Brandon's bag and eventually found what he was looking for: a map leading back to the city. Viridian City, huh? Since Brandon had mentioned going back there once after coming to Pallet Town, Charmander assumed that he had to have made a map and he was right. Admittedly, he didn't feel right about stealing from Brandon, but he knew that this was all for his just cause. As soon as he reached the city and found the power he craved so deeply, he would be able end the war and his family wouldn't be hunted anymore. What would Brandon care if he took the map once Charmander became a hero?

He took special care to hide his packed bag under the bed so as no one would see it and become suspicious. When the tiny lizard heard the front door open later that afternoon, he climbed back into bed where he was left that morning.

"Hey Charmander, are you feeling any better?" Bulbasaur asked cheerfully.

"Yeah, I think so," Charmander replied. "How did things go with the restaurant?"

"Great! The damage isn't too bad and since the building is still standing, repairs shouldn't take more than a few weeks," Bulbasaur described happily.

"Oh, that's good," Charmander replied. Honestly, the restaurant was really the last thing he cared about at that moment. He just wanted the day to end so his journey could get started. The tiny orange lizard believed he was concealing his emotions well enough. But Bulbasaur couldn't shake the feeling that something was…different about Charmander.

Soon enough, Charmander got his wish. Nightfall took over the house, prompting Charmander to gather his luggage and sneak out quietly. However, just before opening the front door, Charmander decided to leave a letter, saying goodbye to his loved ones. Once it was finished, he left the parchment on the coffee table in the family room, and quietly shut the door behind him on his way out.

The orange lizard strolled under the glow of the full moon through the desolate town without seeing a soul. He stopped outside of Serena's house. All the lights were off. It was going to hurt leaving her behind. She was Charmander's first real friend. Then there was Tracey. He would miss him too. Be safe. Charmander thought to himself as he slowly walked away. But, Charmander stopped once again outside the town limits in front of a tree up the hill. He was instantly reminded of Tracey and his words replayed in his head. Life is full of so much beauty, mystery, and wonder. There are so many amazing things we see every day that go on unappreciated by people. This is just what I love doing. I'm just living my dream. But that doesn't mean it would work for you. Just take your time, enjoy life, and I'm sure you'll find something that inspires you.

"Thanks Tracey. I found my dream thanks to you. I know what I need to do now," Charmander spoke aloud even though he knew he was standing alone. Charmander continued his departure away from familiar territory and towards the forest where Brandon had trained him. He stopped however, when he heard a familiar voice.

"It's a bit late to be going for a walk, isn't it?" Charmander turned around to see Bulbasaur glaring at him from a few feet away behind him.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" Charmander asked.

"I could ask you the same question," Bulbasaur retorted. Charmander said nothing. He just turned back to the path ahead of him and began to walk away. Bulbasaur's red pupils zeroed-in on his brother's backpack. "You going on a trip?"

"None of your business. Go home and go to bed," he ordered arrogantly. Bulbasaur sighed.

"Deep down, I just knew you'd pull a stunt like this. I really did. It's just like you. When your pride takes a hit, you go completely crazy. You lost one fight and you suddenly think you have to run away? When are you going to grow up and face the reality that you can't win at everything you try?"

"I have grown up. You're right. I can't handle losing to anyone. But none of the other fights we've been in mattered up until now. I lost the one that mattered the most. But that's why I'm standing up and doing something about it this time."

"So you were just going to leave us? Just like that?"

"This is something I have to do. You wouldn't understand."

"What's there to understand!? What is going on with you? Why would you just walk out on us like this without explaining anything to anyone!?" Bulbasaur yelled after him.

"I have to get stronger. Obtaining more power is what I saw in my heart's vision. What happened at the restaurant opened my eyes and showed me just how far behind I really am. I'll never get to where I want to be by staying here."

"So you're just going to abandon all of us? What about me and Squirtle? We're your brothers! Together we're a team! What about Mom? Is this really how you want to thank her after all she's done for us? She took us in when we had nobody, Charmander! Then there's Serena and Tracey. Don't they matter at all to you anymore either? Have you forgotten that Brandon practically gave us these powers to begin with? We wouldn't be where we are now without him. Are you really going to disrespect his teachings like this? Huh?"

"I'm doing this to protect you. All of you."

"Protect us? You're betraying us, Charmander!"

"Shut up! You don't understand anything about me!" Charmander snapped. Bulbasaur was astonished.

"I don't? How dare you! Why are you always so arrogant? You're always thinking about yourself! No matter what anyone does for you, you always toss them aside and treat them like dirt! Fine then! Leave if you want to! You were never any good to us anyway, you ungrateful jerk! We'll get by just fine without you!" Charmander said nothing in return. He just kept walking onward. "DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME!" Bulbasaur shouted angrily. In frustration, he launched one of his vines straight towards Charmander. Charmander quickly turned in retaliation and grabbed the vine. In one breath, he lit the vine on fire and released it, knowing Bulbasaur would immediately pull it back. "Ouch, oww!" Bulbasaur yelped. The bulb creature rubbed the flame out in the dirt and looked up at Charmander in horror. Charmander met his dumbfounded gaze with his own, lifeless, icy glare.

"You say I worry too much about myself. But maybe you don't worry about yourself enough. Keep trying to control everyone else, and you'll see just how far behind you really are," Charmander spoke coldly. Without another word, he turned around and continued off into the night.

Bulbasaur sat still. Part of him wanted to get up and chase him further, but he knew it was useless. The bulb creature examined the painful burn on his vine. He had sparred with his sibling numerous times in the past, but his attacks were nothing like this. Charmander was serious this time. He was intent on attacking anyone who stood in his way. This wasn't the Charmander that Bulbasaur knew. This one was obsessed with power. This wasn't a game anymore. This was a power struggle. His brother had moved beyond trying to be the best. He was done with sibling rivalry. He wanted so much more. Bulbasaur didn't know what else to do. So he simply sat by and watched in pure stupefaction as his brother walked out of his life and into the darkness of the night.

To be continued….

Project Kanto Book 2: Prisoners of Fate
Coming Soon!